respectable

1 of 3

adjective

re·​spect·​able ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl 

1

: worthy of respect : estimable

2

: decent or correct in character or behavior : proper

3

a

: fair in size or quantity

a respectable amount

b

: moderately good : tolerable

a respectable performance

4

: fit to be seen : presentable

respectable clothes

respectability

ri-ˌspek-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

respectableness

ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl-nəs 

noun

respectably

ri-ˈspek-tə-blē 

adverb

respectable

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a respectable person

respectability

3 of 3

noun (2)

re·​spect·​abil·​i·​ty -ˌspektəˈbilətē 

-lətē, 

-i

1

a

: the quality or state of being respectable

b

: the status of being respectable : consequence

2

a

: a respectable person : respectable persons

the respectability of the town

b

: a respectable convention : decency

those little respectabilities that make group life bearable

Synonyms of respectable

Adjective

• respected
• prestigious
• reputable
• reputed
• distinguished
• esteemed
• estimable

Examples of respectable in a Sentence

Adjective

She comes from a very respectable family.

no respectable dietician would advise people to eat just one kind of food

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

After an offseason of bad vibes, Petrino’s offensive scheme paves the way for a respectable season, bowl bid and maybe a win that provides a higher high than the opening drive of the Bill Belichick era in 2025. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The respectable but not outsized viewership was coupled with the high cost for the lavish production, which filmed both color and black & white versions. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

Still, the Olsens — whose experience in clothing design tracks back to their teen collaboration with Walmart — have become respectable in the business of fashion despite their humble beginnings. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

The market isn't ignoring all this goodness at the moment, given Dell's rally is still respectable. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1770, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for respectable

• collectable
• collectible
• correctable
• delectable
• detectable
• expectable
• injectable
• protectable
• resectable
• selectable
• uncollectible
• undetectable

Kids Definition

respectable

adjective

re·​spect·​able

ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl

1

: worthy of respect : reputable

2

: decent or correct in character or behavior : proper

respectable people

3

: fair in size, quality, or quantity

a respectable amount of money

4

: fit to be seen : presentable

respectable clothes

respectability

-ˌspek-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

respectableness

-ˈspek-tə-bəl-nəs

noun

respectably

-blē

adverb